I think the more likely scenario than unbundling is that some cable company decides to be the cable-company-for-people-who-don't-watch-sports and offers everything but sports for a much lower cost. It would be really interesting to the extent to which something like that caught on (or not).

I watched most of this game and it was a good one. Kinda chippy too. The Lakers coach got a T for arguing with the refs about Blake Griffin pushing Morris when he was up on the rim during a dead ball right after a whistle. And then later on Morris got a T when there was a scrum on the floor and he went over to help a teammate up. Morris afterward: it was like Michigan Ohio State out there man! Crazy! (not sure the southland really appreciated the reference....)

Just as interesting as the stat-line was the defense he played on Paul, who tore the place up. Morris played with lots of energy but Paul was really good.

Morris also had a couple assists that were terrific: a pass to Gasol in heavy traffic for a lay-in and a lob for a dunk too.

I think it will be interesting to see what happens to PSU with respect to bowl games. Apart from the Sandusky mess they were kind of iffy on the field all year. Their best win was ... on the road against that school from Ohio? or maybe Iowa?

Dang, I think I'll have to revise my prediction downward for them. They had a pretty awful finish to the year.

The Capital One, Outback, and Gator Bowls can select any eligible team except a team that has two fewer wins or two more losses than another eligible team. The Insight, TicketCity, Texas and Little Caesar's Pizza Bowls have no such restrictions, However, the bowls cannot select a 6–6 team if a 7–5 or better team is not selected by a Big Ten-affiliated bowl.

Because there are probably going to be 5 Big Ten teams at 7-5 or 6-6 it will be a free-for-all. Ohio will probably get selected above a team like Purdue or maybe even Iowa.

I think if we win our division we could very well end up at the Rose Bowl. Winning the conference championship game would obviously put us there.But losing to an undefeated WI team might put them in the BCs champ game. Big "if's" though, since winning the division won't be easy.

The point of cheering is not to affect the game (unless of course you are actually at the game). The point of cheering is to enjoy the game for yourself and your friends. So I go with my gut and my gut really hates schools to the south

The University of Oklahoma is sitting on the couch drunk and pissed off at the TV (LHN) after her loaded prince charming date from the west coast stood her up and she's stuck with that Big 12 commisioner she just puked on but has to get back together with now.

Does OU win the TWIS sweepstakes next week?

It's so hilarious that Utah and Colorado get into the Pac-12 and OK and TX don't

This is a really interesting blog post and does indicate where the B1G ought to expand if it so chooses. I'm not crazy about expansion, but I think that's where this thing is gonna end up. Some of the data seems fishy but I don't think there's any way around that in a survey like this that simply uses available data/techniques.

If expansion to 16 had to happen would hope it was Missouri, Kansas, Notre Dame, and then I don't really care about #4. Judging from Silver's blog post, though, the B1G ought to add Rutgers and then send Notre Dame out there to play in New York, since they have the largest sheer numbers of fans in NYC than anywhere else.

It's my understanding that Notre Dame won't give up its football independence unless there is no place for its other sports to play and the new conference demands that ND bring football with it.. So if the Big East implodes then the B1G makes sense for ND, though who knows... strange things are happening and stranger things are gonna happen before this is over.

Fiesta bowl officials treating the bowl game like a cash cow for their own personal pleasures. Parties, Politics, strip clubs and flowers? You sort of know that big money can cause big problems but this situation is epic in its depravity.

The most ridiculous statement from Junker, the Fiesta Bowl CEO is surely this one about his $1000 visit to a strip club: We are in the business where big strong athletes are known to attend these types of establishments. It was important for us to visit, and we certainly conducted business.

no matter how much they try to stop this, the government is playing whack-a-mole. the internet is too wide open to crack down on every streaming site and it's really not that hard to find streams if you're determined. In fact, I've discovered in the last year that it's getting easier to find streams and that the streams are getting better.

The best solution for broadcasters is to do their own stream. I think most of us wouldn't mind paying for reliable streams. Props to CBS for figuring this out.

It's not that unusual to have "property rights" restricted in some ways. Lots of people buy houses in neighborhoods where the home-owners association requires all sorts of things that many of us find ridiculous. So those of us who don't like those rules choose not to buy a house there. Those who do are supposed to live by the rules, even if they seem stupid.

The problem with this whole situation is the sense of entitlement endemic in American culture. If you think you're a gift to football and your university then maybe you start selling your swag. If you're grateful for the opportunity to play and get a free education while you're at it then this isn't even something you'd consider.

So does this mean Brian is gonna have to come out of vacation for comment? Seems like some of these games aren't gonna be too competitive anyways: Games 1-5 are Akron, Toledo, Miami (Fl), Colorado, and Michigan State. It gets a lot harder after that: game #6 is Nebraska

I live in Colorado, but bleed blue. It's great to hear the first-hand accounts. I was really glad to have a quality feed from FSN (or something?.. not really sure). Lots of fun to watch, especially when we win so convincingly.

Looks like the D came in strong today after a better, exciting showing last week against Illinois. Hope they do the same next week against Wiscy. Judging by the score of the IN / WI game it looks like they have their work cut out for them.

It's so tantalizing to think about upsetting Wiscy or OSU but if we don't beat Purdue there's a lot of pressure back on, I think.

Purdue is beatable and UM seems super-fired up right now, so I am as hopeful as anybody, but I agree with this post that the possibilities of playing spoiler (and getting to a better bowl game) are splendid.

the BCS always seems to royally screw a team or two every year. Through no fault of it's own an undefeated Boise State is gonna get thrown under the Big East bus. (and if it's not Boise State it's gonna be somebody because the Big East and ACC are not good this year)

I think, contrary to the usual proverb: our offense will keep us in the game. So that even if we're down it's still going to be possible for us to put up points. Doesn't mean we're gonna win the games... but I think we'll play a lot of close games.

The next 2-3 games really are huge as far as showing what this team's got.

Like others, when I'm feeling optimistic I go with 9-3. Pessimistic: 7-5.

yeah it seems tough to win without a good record. you kinda want to be leading your team to some sort of bowl game. Yet, Denard has been at his best when the game is on the line and we HAVE to get a TD (and i say TD instead of "score" for obvious reasons...)

This game was weird to watch because the strengths of these teams are really strong and the weaknesses are really weak. I mean how bizarre is it for the D to be out there for over 40 minutes and still win by 7 without any of the TD's coming from the D or special teams (since that's how you usually run up quick-strike scores)?

I think the next 2 games are going to tell us ALOT more about this Michigan team than any of the games we've played so far.

I think IU is gonna be somewhat vulnerable early in the game because the "quality" and "game speed" of their opponents so far is so awful. They haven't seen anything like Denard or Martin so far this year.

But maybe they will start to catch up later? hopefully we'll be ahead by enough that it's irrelevant.